Alexi Lalas doesn’t do subtle. And when it comes to the USMNT’s next big move, he’s not interested in playing it safe. The former U.S. defender went public this week with a pretty direct message to U.S. Soccer: if Pep Guardiola is available after the 2026 World Cup, go get him. Anything less, Lalas said, is just dumb.
Guardiola is wrapping up his time at Manchester City after a legendary run that includes six Premier League titles and three Champions League trophies. His final game with City ended in a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, and afterward he got a video message from Michael Jordan — yes, that Michael Jordan — congratulating him on his career and wishing him a happy retirement on the golf course. So yeah, the man is moving on from club football. The question is whether he’s done coaching entirely.
Here’s where it gets interesting for American soccer fans. Guardiola has a well-documented soft spot for the United States. He spent a sabbatical in New York City a few years back and has talked openly about loving the energy here. He’s also built relationships with U.S. coaches across sports, most notably Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. That’s not nothing. If he wants a next chapter that doesn’t involve managing elite club egos and media firestorms every week, the USMNT gig offers something pretty different — a young, hungry squad that would run through walls for a system like his.
Would Guardiola even want the job?
Nobody knows for sure, but the logic is there. Taking over a national team is a different kind of grind. Fewer games, more time to actually develop talent and implement a philosophy across an entire federation. And the USMNT is in a sweet spot — young players already at top European clubs, a home World Cup in 2026 that could be a genuine run, and a fanbase that’s desperate for someone who can take them from plucky underdog to actual contender. Guardiola could be that guy.
ESPN analysts have already urged U.S. Soccer to break the bank if Guardiola is willing. And it makes sense. The man doesn’t come cheap, but this isn’t a federation that historically swings big on coaching hires. They’ve gone for safe bets and development types. Guardiola would be the opposite of safe. It would be a statement.
Some people in the conversation have pointed to Jesse Marsch as a strong American candidate with elite European experience. Marsch has done good work and knows the player pool inside out. But Lalas and others seem to think you don’t pass on a generational coaching talent just because the local option is solid. You make the call.
None of this happens unless Mauricio Pochettino leaves first. And right now, that’s not certain. Pochettino took the job with a clear plan and has the team trending in the right direction. But coaching contracts in soccer are rarely a sure thing, and the 2026 World Cup cycle will bring inevitable pressure. If results don’t go the way everyone hopes, the door could open faster than expected.
For now, it’s speculation. But it’s the kind of speculation that actually feels possible. A legend leaving club football. A federation looking for its biggest moment. And a city Guardiola already loves. The pieces are there. Someone just has to make the call.
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